A science-focused charter school in Kenner must show Jefferson Parish school officials it will be able to increase enrollment of minority and "at-risk" students before it can add a high school to its program.

The New Orleans Advocate reports that the Jefferson Parish School District recently denied permission for the expansion by the Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy.

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Kenner Discovery submitted a plan to increase enrollment of black students and students who are low-income, have special needs or are not performing at grade level. But Jefferson Superintendent James Meza told school officials the plan is unlikely to yield the required results.

The school's executive officer, Patty Glaser, said the school's open enrollment policy has made it difficult to meet the parish's standards.